It’s not you, it’s me

Actually, it’s not technically me, either, but a faulty LoHud server that is preventing any of you from making comments.

I’m told it’s not something that’s going to be resolved until tomorrow, so you’ll just have to press on without the poetic musings of “DumpJagrDope” for another day. If you find yourself unusually optimistic, and sympathetic toward your fellow mankind, you’ll know why.

Of course, the timing may be right since the Rangers are off anyway, today. But with a big one tomorrow against the Islanders, here’s hoping we’ll be able to get the train back on track by then. I’d offer to step in and help myself, but seeing how my technical expertise doesn’t extend far beyond locating the on-switch on my computer, I’m not sure what good I’d do.

Bear in mind that you can always shoot me an e-mail at sweinman@LoHud.com if you need to be heard. I’ll try to respond, although I’ve been having my own e-mail problems of late, so I apologize if it takes some time.

Meanwhile, a few loose ends:

Reader Diane asked about Kevin Weekes’ progress. We’re told that Weekes is ready to start seeing some shots in practice in a few days, and that will help dictate how quickly he can return. But just based on the initial severity of Weekes’ injury, I’d still say he’s a few weeks off.

The same could be said of Brendan Shanahan, who has made steady progress but is still experiencing vertigo. The fact that Shanahan is free of other symptoms, however, is a good sign.

I’m not sure if it’s the exposure to Sean Avery, but I found myself overly loquacious in my own pick-up game this morning, both in excessive celebrations after goals and in yapping in defensemen’s ears behind the play. Of course, unlike Avery, I’m not much of a fighter, so that could be a problem…

For those of you who are enjoying the audio, here’s Jaromir Jagr when I asked him about how the mood shifted at the Garden yesterday:

Pack just won in OT! Two goals by… guess who… JESSIMAN! Man, I watched that on B2NET and Dubinsky looked really good! He’s one talent, I’ll tell you. Montoya was great as usual and Hugh scores in almost every game recently (5g in 6 games I think). We have HUGE talent down there…

How are they going to goon it up? Orr??? He is the only option, Shanny isn’t there to protect Jags. Is Shitbister gonna drop the gloves??? Maybe they should call up Liffiton for a little more backbone and another defenseman out of position.

If the could goon it up, they would have shown it already. They don’t have the personnel to play that game. The only thing the Rangers have PROVEN they’re good at is skating in circles and giving up shorthanded goals.

i also saw the game stf.do think baranka is the best dman down their?i did not tonite,i thought it was potter.but our genius poster who will not post any more(kovy27)thinks i am out of my mind becuase i dont’ agree with him about barankas
upside.i just don’t think he is anything special.would you agree or disagree with me?dubinsky looked real good,as did the big man “huge specimen”i have not called him that since right after he was drafted.i think the light has really gone on with this guy.he can really pass well,he was very physical and he scored 2 more goals!!!!!.perhaps he will work out after all.

i didn’t say you were out of your mind i said your mind was made of cotton candy there is a big difference.shouldn’t you be doing your role call of who watched the game or not tonight? guys everyone head to http://www.puckingrivals.com great ranger board where we do pack threads and watch the b2 feed together and comment on the game great for guys that can’t watch either if they want to follow along. czech you’d be the village idiot down there but your more than welcome to come on and tell us how great david liffiton is and how montoya is projected as a good AHL goalie not so much an nhl goalie lol.

Sam, any word on why Montoya didn’t get the call yesterday? I’m happy for Valiquette and all — I interviewed him for a radio show in a previous job — but I agree that Montoya should have gotten the nod.

Aaron Ward also nailed one of his teammates in the back on one of his slapshot-clearing attempts. Puck went right to NJ for a scoring chance. That’s the Aaron Ward we know and love.

The big problem with Hugh Jessiman was he didn’t put himself in challenging positions. He played in relatively easy leagues for all of his younger hockey career. Maybe now he’s developed himself with Charlotte enough to be a force in Hartford.

Regarding the Rangers off days: naturally I’m not complaining because it usually means a light day for me, and I more often than not find myself catching up on my own hockey playing. But I also think at this time of year, rest is as as important, if not more important than practice. These guys are all in tremendous shape, and whatever strategy needs to be implemented will be put in today at the morning skate.

Beyond that, I’m a firm believer that in anything you do, if you work seven days straight, you risk being slightly less effective on that eighth day. I realize an hour at the rink isn’t a lot to ask. But there’s something to be said for getting away from it completely. Put it this way: if the Rangers lose to the Islanders tonight, it’s not going to be because of an off day yesterday.

Also, regarding Larry Brooks’ Slap shots column: I have to confirm, but I’m pretty sure he wasn’t talking about me. Like I told another reader, I long for the day when I’m important enough that other writers are taking shots at me. I’m not there yet.

SPEAKING OF UNCLE LARRY, HAS HE LOST HIS MIND? WHY WOULD THE RANGERS BRINGUP LESSARD WHEN WE HAVE ORR?? ALL THATS REQUIRED IS RENNEY GIVES HIM THE SAME AMOUNT OF ICE THAT HE HAS BEEN GIVING THAT LINE LATELY AND NOBODY WILL RUN JAGR….

It would appear, from Jagr’s and Renney’s quotes, that the booing and the “we suck” chants weren’t a big hit with the team. Hey Sam, after the fans have done that, and the team then comes from behind to win dramatically like they did, do they actually feel like standing at center ice and flipping us the bird? Or does it actually help motivate them in either a “I’ll show them” or a “we better get off our butts” kind of way?

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fans have every right to boo…Garden prices are the highest in the league, the team has SUCKED and missed the playoffs 7 out of the last 8 years. There home record is putrid. IF fans want to boo they have EVERY right to BOO..if the players don’t like it they can go somewhere else. There isn’t a more loyal and die hard NHL fanbase in the league. Fans not being alloowed to boo is the most bullshit statement i have ever heard. talk about geting the blood boiling!!